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Guerrero-Juarez CF, Schilf P, Li J, Zappia MP, Bao L, Patel PM, Gieseler-Tillmann J, Murthy S, Cole C, Sverdlov M, Frolov MV, Hashimoto T, Ishii N, Rülicke T, Bieber K, Ludwig RJ, Sadik CD, Amber KT. C-type lectin receptor expression is a hallmark of neutrophils infiltrating the skin in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1266359. [PMID: 37799716 PMCID: PMC10548123 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1266359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Inflammatory epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is characterized by a neutrophilic response to anti-type VII collagen (COL7) antibodies resulting in the development of skin inflammation and blistering. The antibody transfer model of EBA closely mirrors this EBA phenotype. Methods To better understand the changes induced in neutrophils upon recruitment from peripheral blood into lesional skin in EBA, we performed single-cell RNA-sequencing of whole blood and skin dissociate to capture minimally perturbed neutrophils and characterize their transcriptome. Results Through this approach, we identified clear distinctions between circulating activated neutrophils and intradermal neutrophils. Most strikingly, the gene expression of multiple C-type lectin receptors, which have previously been reported to orchestrate host defense against fungi and select bacteria, were markedly dysregulated. After confirming the upregulation of Clec4n, Clec4d, and Clec4e in experimental EBA as well as in lesional skin from patients with inflammatory EBA, we performed functional studies in globally deficient Clec4e-/- and Clec4d-/- mice as well as in neutrophil-specific Clec4n-/- mice. Deficiency in these genes did not reduce disease in the EBA model. Discussion Collectively, our results suggest that while the upregulation of Clec4n, Clec4d, and Clec4e is a hallmark of activated dermal neutrophil populations, their individual contribution to the pathogenesis of EBA is dispensable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian F. Guerrero-Juarez
- Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Paul Schilf
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Dermatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Maria Paula Zappia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lei Bao
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Payal M. Patel
- Department of Dermatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Sripriya Murthy
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Connor Cole
- Department of Dermatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Maria Sverdlov
- Research Histology Core, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Maxim V. Frolov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Takashi Hashimoto
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Norito Ishii
- Department of Dermatology, Kurume University School of Medicine, and Kurume University Institute of Cutaneous Cell Biology, Kurume, Japan
| | - Thomas Rülicke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Hematology and Oncology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Bieber
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ralf J. Ludwig
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christian D. Sadik
- Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kyle T. Amber
- Department of Dermatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
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Seiler DL, Kähler KH, Kleingarn M, Sadik CD, Bieber K, Köhl J, Ludwig RJ, Karsten CM. The complement receptor C5aR2 regulates neutrophil activation and function contributing to neutrophil-driven epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1197709. [PMID: 37275893 PMCID: PMC10235453 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1197709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The function of the second receptor for the complement cleavage product C5a, C5aR2, is poorly understood and often neglected in the immunological context. Using mice with a global deficiency of C5aR2, we have previously reported an important role of this receptor in the pathogenesis of the neutrophil-driven autoimmune disease epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). Based on in vitro analyses, we hypothesized that the absence of C5aR2 specifically on neutrophils is the cause of the observed differences. Here, we report the generation of a new mouse line with a LysM-specific deficiency of C5aR2. Methods LysM-specific deletion of C5aR2 was achieved by crossing LysMcre mice with tdTomato-C5ar2fl/fl mice in which the tdTomato-C5ar2 gene is flanked by loxP sites. Passive EBA was induced by subcutaneous injection of rabbit anti-mouse collagen type VII IgG. The effects of targeted deletion of C5ar2 on C5a-induced effector functions of neutrophils were examined in in vitro assays. Results We confirm the successful deletion of C5aR2 at both the genetic and protein levels in neutrophils. The mice appeared healthy and the expression of C5aR1 in bone marrow and blood neutrophils was not negatively affected by LysM-specific deletion of C5aR2. Using the antibody transfer mouse model of EBA, we found that the absence of C5aR2 in LysM-positive cells resulted in an overall amelioration of disease progression, similar to what we had previously found in mice with global deficiency of C5aR2. Neutrophils lacking C5aR2 showed decreased activation after C5a stimulation and increased expression of the inhibitory Fcγ receptor FcγRIIb. Discussion Overall, with the data presented here, we confirm and extend our previous findings and show that C5aR2 in neutrophils regulates their activation and function in response to C5a by potentially affecting the expression of Fcγ receptors and CD11b. Thus, C5aR2 regulates the finely tuned interaction network between immune complexes, Fcγ receptors, CD11b, and C5aR1 that is important for neutrophil recruitment and sustained activation. This underscores the importance of C5aR2 in the pathogenesis of neutrophil-mediated autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L. Seiler
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja H. Kähler
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Marie Kleingarn
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christian D. Sadik
- Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin (CRIS), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venerology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja Bieber
- Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin (CRIS), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venerology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jörg Köhl
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Ralf J. Ludwig
- Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin (CRIS), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Allergology and Venerology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christian M. Karsten
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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3
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Hiroyasu S, Barit JVJG, Hiroyasu A, Tsuruta D. Pruritogens in pemphigoid diseases: Possible therapeutic targets for a burdensome symptom. J Dermatol 2023; 50:150-161. [PMID: 36477831 PMCID: PMC10108135 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.16652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pruritus is a hallmark feature in pemphigoid diseases, where it can be severe and greatly impact the quality of life of affected patients. Despite being a key symptom, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms involved in pruritus in pemphigoid are yet to be fully elucidated and effective therapies addressing them are limited. This review summarizes the present understanding of pruritus specific to pemphigoid diseases, especially the pruritogens that induce it, and the therapeutic options that have been explored so far. The majority of the available evidence is on bullous pemphigoid and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Histamine derived from basophils correlates with pruritus severity, with omalizumab demonstrating promising efficacy in pruritus for bullous pemphigoid. IL-4/-13 contribute to itch in bullous pemphigoid with dupilumab being evaluated in clinical trials. Other pruritogens of interest include substance P, tryptase, and thymic stromal lymphopoetin, with therapies targeting them requiring further investigation. Scratching behaviors contribute directly to blister formation through various mechanisms, such as pathological autoantibody recruitment, T helper cell type 1 polarization, and exposure of intracellular autoantigens. Treatments addressing these pathways may contribute to decreasing disease severity. Additional studies are needed to fully characterize how pruritus is regulated in pemphigoid diseases, to help pave the way to develop novel and effective therapeutics that will not only address pruritic symptoms but also decrease disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Hiroyasu
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jay-V James G Barit
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Aoi Hiroyasu
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tsuruta
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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4
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Ludwig RJ, Schmidt E. Bullous Diseases of the Skin and Mucous Membranes. Clin Immunol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-7020-8165-1.00063-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
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Aubert A, Lane M, Jung K, Granville DJ. Granzyme B as a therapeutic target: an update in 2022. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:979-993. [PMID: 36542784 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2161890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Granzyme B is a serine protease extensively studied for its implication in cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated apoptosis. In recent years, the paradigm that the role of granzyme B is restricted to immune cell-mediated killing has been challenged as extracellular roles for the protease have emerged. While mostly absent from healthy tissues, granzyme B levels are elevated in several autoimmune and/or chronic inflammatory conditions. In the skin, its accumulation significantly impairs proper wound healing. AREAS COVERED After an overview of the current knowledge on granzyme B, a description of newly identified functions will be presented, focussing on granzyme B ability to promote cell-cell and dermal-epidermal junction disruption, extracellular matrix degradation, vascular permeabilization, and epithelial barrier dysfunction. Progress in granzyme B inhibition, as well as the use of granzyme B inhibitors for the treatment of tissue damage, will be discussed. EXPERT OPINION The absence of endogenous extracellular inhibitors renders extracellular granzyme B accumulation deleterious for the proper healing of chronic wounds due to sustained proteolytic activity. Consequently, specific granzyme B inhibitors have been developed as new therapeutic approaches. Beyond applications in wound healing, other autoimmune and/or chronic inflammatory conditions related to exacerbated granzyme B activity may also benefit from the development of these inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Aubert
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michael Lane
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Karen Jung
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - David J Granville
- International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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6
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Ghorbanalipoor S, Emtenani S, Parker M, Kamaguchi M, Osterloh C, Pigors M, Gross N, Khil’chenko S, Kasprick A, Patzelt S, Wortmann D, Ibrahim IO, Izumi K, Goletz S, Boch K, Kalies K, Bieber K, Smith P, Schmidt E, Ludwig RJ. Cutaneous kinase activity correlates with treatment outcomes following PI3K delta inhibition in mice with experimental pemphigoid diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:865241. [PMID: 36248903 PMCID: PMC9555174 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.865241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic blistering at the skin and/or mucous membranes, accompanied by a varying degree of inflammation, is the clinical hallmark of pemphigoid diseases that impose a major medical burden. Pemphigoid diseases are caused by autoantibodies targeting structural proteins of the epithelial basement membrane. One major pathogenic pathway of skin blistering and inflammation is activation of myeloid cells following Fc gamma receptor-dependent binding to the skin-bound immune complexes. This process requires activation of specific kinases, such as PI3Kδ, which have emerged as potential targets for the treatment of pemphigoid diseases. Yet, it is unknown if global cutaneous kinase activity present in lesional pemphigoid disease correlates with therapeutic effects following treatment with a given target-selective kinase inhibitor. To address this, we here first determined the kinase activity in three different mouse models of pemphigoid diseases: Antibody transfer-induced mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP), antibody transfer-induced epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) and immunization-induced EBA. Interestingly, the kinome signatures were different among the three models. More specifically, PI3Kδ was within the kinome activation network of antibody transfer-induced MMP and immunization-induced EBA, but not in antibody transfer-induced EBA. Next, the therapeutic impact of the PI3Kδ-selective inhibitor parsaclisib was evaluated in the three model systems. In line with the kinome signatures, parsaclisib had therapeutic effects in antibody transfer-induced MMP and immunization-induced EBA, but not in autoantibody-induced EBA. In conclusion, kinase activation signatures of inflamed skin, herein exemplified by pemphigoid diseases, correlate with the therapeutic outcomes following kinase inhibition, demonstrated here by the PI3Kδ inhibitor parsaclisib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeedeh Ghorbanalipoor
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Shirin Emtenani
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Melissa Parker
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Mayumi Kamaguchi
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Colin Osterloh
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Manuela Pigors
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Natalie Gross
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Stanislav Khil’chenko
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anika Kasprick
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sabrina Patzelt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Diana Wortmann
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ibrahim O. Ibrahim
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kentaro Izumi
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Stephanie Goletz
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katharina Boch
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Kathrin Kalies
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja Bieber
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Paul Smith
- Incyte Research Institute, Wilmington, DE, United States
| | - Enno Schmidt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ralf J. Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ralf J. Ludwig,
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7
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Seiler DL, Kleingarn M, Kähler KH, Gruner C, Schanzenbacher J, Ehlers-Jeske E, Kenno S, Sadik CD, Schmidt E, Bieber K, Köhl J, Ludwig RJ, Karsten CM. C5aR2 deficiency ameliorates inflammation in murine epidermolysis bullosa acquisita by regulating FcγRIIb expression on neutrophils. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:2715-2723.e2. [PMID: 35007559 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a rare blistering skin disease induced by autoantibodies directed against type VII collagen (COL7). Transfer of antibodies against murine COL7 (mCOL7) into mice mimics the effector phase of EBA and results in a subepidermal blistering phenotype. Activation of the complement system, and especially the C5a/C5aR1 axis driving neutrophil activation, are critical for EBA pathogenesis. However, the role of the alternative C5a receptor, C5aR2, which is commonly thought to be more immunosuppressive, in the pathogenesis of EBA is still elusive. Therefore, we sought to delineate the functional relevance of C5aR2 during the effector phase of EBA. Unexpectedly, C5aR2-deficient (C5ar2-/-) mice showed an attenuated disease phenotype, suggesting a pathogenic contribution of C5aR2 to disease progression. In vitro, C5ar2-/- neutrophils exhibited significantly reduced (Ca2+)i flux, reactive oxygen species release, and migratory capacity when activated with immune complexes or exposed to C5a. These functions were completely absent when C5ar1-/- neutrophils were activated. Moreover, C5aR2 deficiency more than tripled FcγRIIb expression on neutrophils thus lowering the A/I ratio of FcγRs and impeding the sustainment of inflammation. Collectively, we demonstrate here a pro-inflammatory contribution of C5aR2 to the pathogenesis of antibody-induced tissue damage in experimental EBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel L Seiler
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Complement and Inflammation Research Section (CIRS), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Marie Kleingarn
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja H Kähler
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Caroline Gruner
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jovan Schanzenbacher
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Elvira Ehlers-Jeske
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Samyr Kenno
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christian D Sadik
- Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin (CRIS), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Enno Schmidt
- Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin (CRIS), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja Bieber
- Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin (CRIS), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jörg Köhl
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Ralf J Ludwig
- Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin (CRIS), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Department of Dermatology, Allergy, and Venereology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany; Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christian M Karsten
- Institute for Systemic Inflammation Research (ISEF), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
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8
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Stenger S, Grasshoff H, Hundt JE, Lange T. Potential effects of shift work on skin autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1000951. [PMID: 36865523 PMCID: PMC9972893 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1000951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Shift work is associated with systemic chronic inflammation, impaired host and tumor defense and dysregulated immune responses to harmless antigens such as allergens or auto-antigens. Thus, shift workers are at higher risk to develop a systemic autoimmune disease and circadian disruption with sleep impairment seem to be the key underlying mechanisms. Presumably, disturbances of the sleep-wake cycle also drive skin-specific autoimmune diseases, but epidemiological and experimental evidence so far is scarce. This review summarizes the effects of shift work, circadian misalignment, poor sleep, and the effect of potential hormonal mediators such as stress mediators or melatonin on skin barrier functions and on innate and adaptive skin immunity. Human studies as well as animal models were considered. We will also address advantages and potential pitfalls in animal models of shift work, and possible confounders that could drive skin autoimmune diseases in shift workers such as adverse lifestyle habits and psychosocial influences. Finally, we will outline feasible countermeasures that may reduce the risk of systemic and skin autoimmunity in shift workers, as well as treatment options and highlight outstanding questions that should be addressed in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Stenger
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hanna Grasshoff
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jennifer Elisabeth Hundt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tanja Lange
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Center of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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9
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Multiple modes of action mediate the therapeutic effect of IVIg in experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1552-1564.e8. [PMID: 34793820 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.08.448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Substitution of IgG in antibody deficiency or application of high-dose intravenous IgG (IVIg) in patients with autoimmunity are well-established treatments. Data on the mode of action of IVIg are, however, controversial and may differ for distinct diseases. In this study, we investigated the impact and molecular mechanism of high-dose IgG treatment in murine autoantibody-induced skin inflammation, namely, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). EBA is caused by antibodies directed against type VII collagen (COL7) and is mediated by complement activation, release of reactive oxygen species, and proteases by myeloid cells. In murine experimental EBA the disease can be induced by injection of anti-COL7 IgG. Here, we substantiate that treatment with high-dose IgG improves clinical disease manifestation. Mechanistically, high-dose IgG reduced the amount of anti-COL7 in skin and sera, which is indicative for an FcRn-dependent mode-of-action. Furthermore, in a non-receptor-mediated fashion, high-dose IgG showed antioxidative properties by scavenging extracellular reactive oxygen species. High-dose IgG also impaired complement activation and served as substrate for proteases, both key events during EBA pathogenesis. Collectively, the non-receptor-mediated anti-inflammatory properties of high-dose IgG may explain the therapeutic benefit of IVIg treatment in skin autoimmunity.
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10
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Tukaj S, Mantej J, Sitko K, Bednarek M, Zillikens D, Ludwig RJ, Bieber K, Kasperkiewicz M. Evidence for a role of extracellular heat shock protein 70 in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Exp Dermatol 2021; 31:528-534. [PMID: 34741567 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and Hsp70 are chaperones implicated in different inflammatory disorders, given their property to impact innate and adaptive immune responses. Here, we determined the so far unknown role of extracellular Hsp70 in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), an anti-type VII collagen autoantibody-mediated blistering dermatosis. The in vivo pathophysiological relevance of extracellular Hsp70 was demonstrated in an anti-type VII collagen antibody transfer-induced EBA mouse model in which elevated blood levels of this chaperone were recorded. We found that Hsp70-treated mice had a more intense clinical disease severity compared to controls that were paralleled by increased levels of cutaneous matrix metalloproteinase 9 and plasma hydrogen peroxide. The latter finding was confirmed in an independent reactive oxygen species release assay using EBA-specific immune complexes combined with recombinant Hsp70. Finally, cell culture experiments using human naive peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) revealed that extracellular Hsp70 stimulated the secretion of the T cell-derived pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8. This work extends knowledge about the role of Hsps in autoimmune bullous diseases, suggesting that extracellular Hsp70 represents a pathophysiological factor and potential treatment target in EBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Tukaj
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Jagoda Mantej
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Sitko
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marta Bednarek
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Detlef Zillikens
- Department of Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ralf J Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja Bieber
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Michael Kasperkiewicz
- Department of Dermatology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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11
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Distler O, Ludwig RJ, Niemann S, Riemekasten G, Schreiber S. Editorial: Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:770462. [PMID: 34630441 PMCID: PMC8495129 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.770462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ralf J Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Zurich, Germany
| | - Stefan Niemann
- Research Center Borstel, Molecular and Experimental Mycobacteriology, Borstel, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Borstel, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Schreiber
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
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12
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Zillikens H, Kasprick A, Osterloh C, Gross N, Radziewitz M, Hass C, Hartmann V, Behnen-Härer M, Ernst N, Boch K, Vidarsson G, Visser R, Laskay T, Yu X, Petersen F, Ludwig RJ, Bieber K. Topical Application of the PI3Kβ-Selective Small Molecule Inhibitor TGX-221 Is an Effective Treatment Option for Experimental Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:713312. [PMID: 34557502 PMCID: PMC8452940 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.713312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Class I phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) have been implemented in pathogenesis of experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA), an autoimmune skin disease caused by type VII collagen (COL7) autoantibodies. Mechanistically, inhibition of specific PI3K isoforms, namely PI3Kβ or PI3Kδ, impaired immune complex (IC)-induced neutrophil activation, a key prerequisite for EBA pathogenesis. Data unrelated to EBA showed that neutrophil activation is also modulated by PI3Kα and γ, but their impact on the EBA has, so far, remained elusive. To address this and to identify potential therapeutic targets, we evaluated the impact of a panel of PI3K isoform-selective inhibitors (PI3Ki) on neutrophil function in vitro, and in pre-clinical EBA mouse models. We document that distinctive, and EBA pathogenesis-related activation-induced neutrophil in vitro functions depend on distinctive PI3K isoforms. When mice were treated with the different PI3Ki, selective blockade of PI3Kα (alpelisib), PI3Kγ (AS-604850), or PI3Kβ (TGX-221) impaired clinical disease manifestation. When applied topically, only TGX-221 impaired induction of experimental EBA. Ultimately, multiplex kinase activity profiling in the presence of disease-modifying PI3Ki identified unique signatures of different PI3K isoform-selective inhibitors on the kinome of IC-activated human neutrophils. Collectively, we here identify topical PI3Kβ inhibition as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of EBA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Zillikens
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anika Kasprick
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Colin Osterloh
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Natalie Gross
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Michael Radziewitz
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Cindy Hass
- Priority Area Asthma and Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North, German Center for Lung Research, Borstel, Germany
| | - Veronika Hartmann
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Martina Behnen-Härer
- Department for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nancy Ernst
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katharina Boch
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gestur Vidarsson
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Remco Visser
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tamás Laskay
- Department for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Xinhua Yu
- Priority Area Asthma and Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North, German Center for Lung Research, Borstel, Germany
| | - Frank Petersen
- Priority Area Asthma and Allergy, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North, German Center for Lung Research, Borstel, Germany
| | - Ralf J Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja Bieber
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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13
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Hiroyasu S, Zeglinski MR, Zhao H, Pawluk MA, Turner CT, Kasprick A, Tateishi C, Nishie W, Burleigh A, Lennox PA, Van Laeken N, Carr NJ, Petersen F, Crawford RI, Shimizu H, Tsuruta D, Ludwig RJ, Granville DJ. Granzyme B inhibition reduces disease severity in autoimmune blistering diseases. Nat Commun 2021; 12:302. [PMID: 33436591 PMCID: PMC7804321 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20604-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pemphigoid diseases refer to a group of severe autoimmune skin blistering diseases characterized by subepidermal blistering and loss of dermal-epidermal adhesion induced by autoantibody and immune cell infiltrate at the dermal-epidermal junction and upper dermis. Here, we explore the role of the immune cell-secreted serine protease, granzyme B, in pemphigoid disease pathogenesis using three independent murine models. In all models, granzyme B knockout or topical pharmacological inhibition significantly reduces total blistering area compared to controls. In vivo and in vitro studies show that granzyme B contributes to blistering by degrading key anchoring proteins in the dermal-epidermal junction that are necessary for dermal-epidermal adhesion. Further, granzyme B mediates IL-8/macrophage inflammatory protein-2 secretion, lesional neutrophil infiltration, and lesional neutrophil elastase activity. Clinically, granzyme B is elevated and abundant in human pemphigoid disease blister fluids and lesional skin. Collectively, granzyme B is a potential therapeutic target in pemphigoid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sho Hiroyasu
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, VCHRI, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Matthew R Zeglinski
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, VCHRI, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hongyan Zhao
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, VCHRI, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Megan A Pawluk
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, VCHRI, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christopher T Turner
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, VCHRI, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anika Kasprick
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Chiharu Tateishi
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Wataru Nishie
- Department of Dermatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Angela Burleigh
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Nick J Carr
- Department of Surgery, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Frank Petersen
- Priority Area Asthma and Allergy, Members of the German Center for Lung Research, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Richard I Crawford
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, UBC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hiroshi Shimizu
- Department of Dermatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tsuruta
- Department of Dermatology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ralf J Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - David J Granville
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute (VCHRI), Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- BC Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Research Laboratory, VCHRI, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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14
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Bieber K, Kridin K, Emtenani S, Boch K, Schmidt E, Ludwig RJ. Milestones in Personalized Medicine in Pemphigus and Pemphigoid. Front Immunol 2021; 11:591971. [PMID: 33505392 PMCID: PMC7829330 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.591971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pemphigus and pemphigoid diseases are autoimmune bullous diseases characterized and caused by autoantibodies targeting adhesion molecules in the skin and/or mucous membranes. Personalized medicine is a new medical model that separates patients into different groups and aims to tailor medical decisions, practices, and interventions based on the individual patient`s predicted response or risk factors. An important milestone in personalized medicine in pemphigus and pemphigoid was achieved by verifying the autoimmune pathogenesis underlying these diseases, as well as by identifying and cloning several pemphigus/pemphigoid autoantigens. The latter has become the basis of the current, molecular-based diagnosis that allows the differentiation of about a dozen pemphigus and pemphigoid entities. The importance of autoantigen-identification in pemphigus/pemphigoid is further highlighted by the emergence of autoantigen-specific B cell depleting strategies. To achieve this goal, the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell technology, which is used for the treatment of certain hematological malignancies, was adopted, by generating chimeric autoantigen receptor (CAAR) T cells. In addition to these more basic science-driven milestones in personalized medicine in pemphigus and pemphigoid, careful clinical observation and epidemiology are again contributing to personalized medicine. The identification of clearly distinct clinical phenotypes in pemphigoid like the non-inflammatory and gliptin-associated bullous pemphigoid embodies a prominent instance of the latter. We here review these exciting developments in basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiological research in pemphigus and pemphigoid. Overall, we hereby aim to attract more researchers and clinicians to this highly interesting and dynamic field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Bieber
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Khalaf Kridin
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Shirin Emtenani
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katharina Boch
- Department of Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Enno Schmidt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ralf J. Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Dermatology and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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15
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Burmester IAK, Flaswinkel S, Thies CS, Kasprick A, Kamaguchi M, Bumiller-Bini V, Emtenani S, Feldmann N, Kridin K, Schmidt E, van Beek N, Zillikens D, Hammers CM, Hundt JE, Ludwig RJ. Identification of novel therapeutic targets for blocking acantholysis in pemphigus. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:5114-5130. [PMID: 32815159 PMCID: PMC7588822 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Pemphigus is caused by autoantibodies against desmoglein (Dsg) 1, Dsg3, and/or non‐Dsg antigens. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is the most common manifestation of pemphigus, with painful erosions on mucous membranes. In most cases, blistering also occurs on the skin, leading to areas of extensive denudation. Despite improvements in pemphigus treatment, time to achieve remission is long, severe adverse events are frequent and 20% of patients do not respond adequately. Current clinical developments focus exclusively on modulating B cell function or autoantibody half‐life. However, topical modulation of PV autoantibody‐induced blistering is an attractive target because it could promptly relieve symptoms. Experimental Approach To address this issue, we performed an unbiased screening in a complex biological system using 141 low MW inhibitors from a chemical library. Specifically, we evaluated PV IgG‐induced Dsg3 internalization in HaCaT keratinocytes. Validation of the 20 identified compounds was performed using keratinocyte fragmentation assays, as well as a human skin organ culture (HSOC) model. key Results Overall, this approach led to the identification of four molecules involved in PV IgG‐induced skin pathology: MEK1, TrkA, PI3Kα, and VEGFR2. Conclusion and Implications This unbiased screening revealed novel mechanisms by which PV autoantibodies induce blistering in keratinocytes and identified new treatment targets for this severe and potentially life‐threatening skin disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imke A K Burmester
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sarah Flaswinkel
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Clara-Sophie Thies
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Anika Kasprick
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Mayumi Kamaguchi
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Valéria Bumiller-Bini
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Shirin Emtenani
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nick Feldmann
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Khalaf Kridin
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Enno Schmidt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Nina van Beek
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Detlef Zillikens
- Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Jennifer E Hundt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ralf J Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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16
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Stüssel P, Schulze Dieckhoff K, Künzel S, Hartmann V, Gupta Y, Kaiser G, Veldkamp W, Vidarsson G, Visser R, Ghorbanalipoor S, Matsumoto K, Krause M, Petersen F, Kalies K, Ludwig RJ, Bieber K. Propranolol Is an Effective Topical and Systemic Treatment Option for Experimental Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 140:2408-2420. [PMID: 32450072 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2020.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Propranolol is an ADRB2 blocker that regulates heart muscle contractions, smooth muscle relaxation, and glycogenolysis. In addition, an increasing number of applications in dermatology have been described, most prominently, the use as a first-line treatment for infantile hemangiomas. We here show that propranolol enhances IL-8-induced neutrophil chemotaxis and reduces the release of ROS after immune complex stimulation. To obtain further molecular insights into the modulatory effects of propranolol in activated neutrophils, we performed RNA sequencing of immune complex-stimulated neutrophils in the absence and presence of the drug. We identified the transcriptomic signature of propranolol and demonstrated an ADR2-independent immunomodulatory effect. To determine if the anti-inflammatory transcriptomic signature of propranolol also translates into clinical effects, we next evaluated the impact of propranolol in a prototypical neutrophil-dependent skin disease, specifically, antibody transfer-induced epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in mice. To validate the identified propranolol gene signature obtained in human neutrophils, we analyzed a selection of genes by RT-PCR in mouse epidermolysis bullosa acquisita skin and confirmed TNF, among others, to be differentially regulated by propranolol treatment. Our data clearly indicate that, based on its molecular impact on immune complex-activated neutrophils, propranolol is a potential treatment option for neutrophil-mediated inflammatory skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Stüssel
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Sven Künzel
- Max-Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Veronika Hartmann
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Yask Gupta
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Georg Kaiser
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Gestur Vidarsson
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Remco Visser
- Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Kazuko Matsumoto
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Malin Krause
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Frank Petersen
- Priority Area Asthma and Allergy, Members of the German Center for Lung Research, Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | | | - Ralf J Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany
| | - Katja Bieber
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, University of Lübeck, Germany.
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17
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Kasprick A, Hofrichter M, Smith B, Ward P, Bieber K, Shock A, Ludwig RJ, Schmidt E. Treatment with anti-neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) antibody ameliorates experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:2381-2392. [PMID: 31975370 PMCID: PMC7174883 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Pemphigus and pemphigoid diseases are characterized and caused predominantly by IgG autoantibodies targeting structural proteins of the skin. Their current treatment relies on general and prolonged immunosuppression that causes severe adverse events, including death. Hence, novel safe and more effective treatments are urgently needed. Due to its' physiological functions, the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) has emerged as a potential therapeutic target for pemphigus and pemphigoid, primarily because IgG is protected from proteolysis after uptake into endothelial cells. Thus, blockade of FcRn would reduce circulating autoantibody concentrations. However, long‐term effects of pharmacological FcRn inhibition in therapeutic settings of autoimmune diseases are unknown. Experimental Approach Therapeutic effects of FcRn blockade were investigated in a murine model of the prototypical autoantibody‐mediated pemphigoid disease, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). B6.SJL‐H2s C3c/1CyJ mice with clinically active disease were randomized to receive either an anti‐FcRn monoclonal antibody (4470) or an isotype control over 4 weeks. Key Results While clinical disease continued to worsen in isotype control‐treated mice, overall disease severity continuously decreased in mice injected with 4470, leading to almost complete remission in over 25% of treated mice. These clinical findings were paralleled by a reduction of autoantibody concentrations. Reduction of autoantibody concentrations, rather than modulating neutrophil activation, was responsible for the observed therapeutic effects. Conclusion and Implications The clinical efficacy of anti‐FcRn treatment in this prototypical autoantibody‐mediated disease encourages further development of anti‐FcRn antibodies for clinical use in pemphigoid diseases and potentially in other autoantibody mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Kasprick
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Maxi Hofrichter
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | | | - Katja Bieber
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | | | - Ralf J Ludwig
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Enno Schmidt
- Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology, and Center for Research on Inflammation of the Skin, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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18
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Stevens NE, Cowin AJ, Kopecki Z. Skin Barrier and Autoimmunity-Mechanisms and Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Autoimmune Blistering Diseases of the Skin. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1089. [PMID: 31156638 PMCID: PMC6530337 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most important functions of the skin besides regulating internal body temperature includes formation of the barrier between the organism and the external environment, hence protecting against pathogen invasion, chemical and physical assaults and unregulated loss of water and solutes. Disruption of the protective barrier is observed clinically in blisters and erosions of the skin that form in autoimmune blistering diseases where the body produces autoantibodies against structural proteins of the epidermis or the epidermal-dermal junction. Although there is no cure for autoimmune skin blistering diseases, immune suppressive therapies currently available offer opportunities for disease management. In cases where no treatment is sought, these disorders can lead to life threatening complications and current research efforts have focused on developing therapies that target autoantibodies which contribute to disease symptoms. This review will outline the involvement of the skin barrier in main skin-specific autoimmune blistering diseases by describing the mechanisms underpinning skin autoimmunity and review current progress in development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting the underlying causes of autoimmune skin blistering diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E Stevens
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Allison J Cowin
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Zlatko Kopecki
- Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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